Media Release 17 April 2015 2015 AAAA Excellence Award winners Harry Philippi, Marketing and Supply Manager at Western Australia s Covs Parts, was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Service to Industry Award in front of 740 fellow industry executives in Melbourne last night at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards Banquet. The most prestigious of all AAAA awards, the Outstanding Service Award is made to an individual who has made valuable contributions to the aftermarket sector and to their community, and who has displayed excellence in character, in business and in life. This winner is also inducted into the AAAA Hall of Fame. The Awards Banquet marked the close of a hugely successful opening day of the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo. Hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the Expo continues on 17 and 18 April at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Long serving industry leaders inducted to the Australian Auto Aftermarket Hall of Fame included retired NGK Spark Plug executive Peter Hein and Karmot Pty Ltd Director David Hutchins. The Hall of Fame honours auto aftermarket people whose creativity and accomplishments have contributed to the stature and development of the sector. The Kim Aunger Young Achiever Award was presented to KT Cable Accessories Marketing Coordinator and Graphic Designer Michelle Cochrane. Also recognised for excellence in the expanded Excellence Awards program were Australia s top marketing, manufacturing and exporting aftermarket businesses. The winners included: Category Award Winner Under $10 million annual turnover Gold IM Group Under $10 million annual turnover Silver KT Cable Accessories Under $10 million annual turnover Bronze Bainbridge Technologies Over $10 million annual turnover Gold Pedders Suspension Over $10 million annual turnover Silver Valvoline (Australia) Over $10 million annual turnover Bronze Supercheap Auto Under $10 million annual turnover Gold IM Group Under $10 million annual turnover Silver Turbosmart Pty Limited Under $10 million annual turnover Bronze SuperPro Australia Over $10 million annual turnover Gold REDARC Electronics Over $10 million annual turnover Silver Nulon Products Australia Over $10 million annual turnover Bronze East Coast Bullbars Excellence in Export Gold Turbosmart Pty Limited Excellence in Export Silver Australian Clutch Services Excellence in Export Bronze SuperPro Australia /2
2 Also announced at the Banquet were winners of the Best Expo Stand Awards: Category Best Expo Stand Under 36 sq metres Best Expo Stand Over 36 sq metres Best Shell Scheme Winner Clutch Industries Dayco Australia AutoMate Training AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said the Expo organising committee and the AAAA Board of Directors congratulate the Excellence Award winners and thank them for their contribution to the auto aftermarket. The scope of the awards program was revised for 2015 to reflect continuing change in the aftermarket sector of the auto industry, he said. Through these industry awards, the AAAA strives to promote excellence, particularly in those areas of business that will enhance future growth and sustainability for the aftermarket sector, he said. The AAAA Awards are unique because they are the only program specifically recognising excellence in service and business skills in the Australian automotive aftermarket. These Awards are run in tandem with the biennial Expo, so will next be held in 2017, said Stuart Charity. Notes to Editor: Kim Aunger Young Achiever Award This award is in honour of one of the founders and former Presidents of the association, Kim Aunger, who tragically lost his life whilst still in his prime. First presented in 1992, this Award recognises the achievements of an individual in our industry who is under 35 years of age and has demonstrated through their work, their leadership and in their community, all the attributes of a future leader in our industry and society. Award Terry Mahoney was one of the driving forces in the formation of the AAAA. He served 8 years on National Council, including 2 years as president and was awarded the Outstanding Service to Industry in 1998. An accomplished businessman and marketer, this award is dedicated in Terry s memory. Judges focus on the clarity of marketing plans and the extent to which marketing objectives are achieved. Award This Award is open to all Australian manufacturers of automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools and equipment who are members of the AAAA. There are categories for businesses with under $10 million turnover per annum and for those with over $10 million turnover per annum. 3/
3 About the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo: Hosted every two years by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the next Expo is being held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre 16 18 April, 2015. It will be the nation's most comprehensive exhibition of vehicle repair and servicing equipment, replacement parts, tools and accessories. This is a trade only show run by the industry for the industry. An Expo highlight is the education and information program featuring industry experts to update businesses on the latest technologies and new trends in workshop management. More than 400 top Australian and international brands will be displayed across five acres at the Auto Aftermarket Expo and the adjacent Collision Repair Expo. The major corporate sponsor for the 2015 Auto Aftermarket Expo is the Tenneco brand Monroe. Visit: http://www.aftermarketexpo.com.au/ About the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Limited (AAAA): The AAAA is the national industry association representing manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and retailers of automotive parts and accessories, tools and equipment in Australia. The Association has over 1,700 member companies in all categories of the Australian automotive aftermarket and includes major national and multi-national corporations as well as a large number of independent small and medium size businesses. Member companies are located in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia. The parts and maintenance sector of the $108 billion Australian automotive industry represents about $34 billion. AAAA member companies employ more than 30,000 people and export over $800 million worth of product a year. Visit http://www.aaaa.com.au/ Further information: Barry Oosthuizen AAAA Communication Advisor M: 0413 185 135 E: b.oosthuizen@bigpond.com
Media Release 16 April 2015 2015 AAAA Innovation Award Winners The 2015 AAAA Innovation Awards were this morning presented to deserving winners before over 300 of their industry colleagues at a grand breakfast celebration at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, which opened today in Melbourne. Hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the Innovation Awards program was revised and expanded this year to keep pace with the competitive world of developing products and creating marketing campaigns. AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said this year s streamlined Innovation Award categories also take into account the rapidly changing customer needs in the auto aftermarket. The Expo organising committee and the AAAA Board of Directors congratulate the Innovation Award winners, he said. The Australian aftermarket is recognised for its high technology, high quality products. This 2015 Awards winners list clearly reinforces that fact. We also thank all entrants for supporting the awards program. We had a record 188 entries from 90 companies this year. Technology now drives the market and our new awards criteria focus on creativity and innovation. The AAAA Awards are unique because they are the only program specifically recognising excellence in innovation in the Australian automotive aftermarket. As these biennial Awards are run in tandem with the Expo, the next chance to score a win will be in 2017, said Stuart Charity. The 2015 Innovation Awards winners list includes: Most Innovative New Aftermarket Organisation Product/Campaign Product Category 4WD Product Brown & Watson International Projecta Folding Solar Panel Kits Accessories Product Cequent SmartCheck Battery Monitor Chemical/ Additives/Lubricants Product Don Kyatt Spare Flashlube E2 Kit Parts Chemical - Car Care Product HiChem Paint Rust-Oleum NeverWet Technologies Electrical - Including Mobile Electronics - Product Roadvision AIRWIRE Remote Controlled Wiring Loom Parts Product IM Group MAP KF204/KF205 VS-VZ Holden Commodore Performance Product Clutch Industries Mantic 9000 Series Triple Disc Clutch System Servicing Tools & Equipment Product FMP Group Australia Bendix Brake Identifier App Packaging Prolec Bussman Fuse-Caddy's Mass Media Campaign Valvoline (Australia) SynPower Direct Marketing Campaign Ashdown-Ingram Workshop Assistance Programme Digital Marketing Campaign Supercheap Auto Supercheap Auto Big Break Competition Supply Chain Engagement Campaign GUD Automotive Ryco Bucket List Promotion Trade Catalogue Ashdown-Ingram Alternator & Starter Motor Catalogue
About the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo: Hosted every two years by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the next Expo is being held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre 16 18 April, 2015. It will be the nation's most comprehensive exhibition of vehicle repair and servicing equipment, replacement parts, tools and accessories. This is a trade only show run by the industry for the industry. An Expo highlight is the education and information program featuring industry experts to update businesses on the latest technologies and new trends in workshop management. More than 400 top Australian and international brands will be displayed across five acres at the Auto Aftermarket Expo and the adjacent Collision Repair Expo. The major corporate sponsor for the 2015 Auto Aftermarket Expo is the Tenneco brand Monroe. Visit: http://www.aftermarketexpo.com.au/ About the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Limited (AAAA): The AAAA is the national industry association representing manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and retailers of automotive parts and accessories, tools and equipment in Australia. The Association has over 1,700 member companies in all categories of the Australian automotive aftermarket and includes major national and multi-national corporations as well as a large number of independent small and medium size businesses. Member companies are located in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia. The parts and maintenance sector of the $108 billion Australian automotive industry represents about $34 billion. AAAA member companies employ more than 30,000 people and export over $800 million worth of product a year. Visit http://www.aaaa.com.au/ Further information: Barry Oosthuizen AAAA Communication Advisor M: 0413 185 135 E: b.oosthuizen@bigpond.com